What kind of gas to use?

[mwood86]

Was going to fill up my (new to me) 06 Wakesetter VLX after work today. In my previous 99 wakesetter we used 87 with no problems. What do you guys use now (not taking into account gas prices). Thanks

[eyepeeler]

Was going to fill up my (new to me) 06 Wakesetter VLX after work today. In my previous 99 wakesetter we used 87 with no problems. What do you guys use now (not taking into account gas prices). Thanks

89 octane or higher, exactly what Indmar recommends. And no corn gas.

Edited May 8, 2011 by eyepeeler

[jrz1]

Unless your motor specifies higher, i would use 87. Unfortunately mine is 93 but even then it will take 87 in a pinch. The ecm will simply retard ignition when/if it senses knock and i wont realize full power potential.

[mwood86]

OK cool, I don't have a manual so I was unsure what it recommends.

[Aquadisiac]

OK cool, I don't have a manual so I was unsure what it recommends.

FYI

Go to the Home page and click on "Resourses / DIY" under Specifications you should be able to download a manual

[kab285]

Could be wrong but doesn't it have to do with which engine you have. I know the monsoon can use 87 just fine but i thought the Hammerhead needed 89 and up.

[jrz1]

Could be wrong but doesn't it have to do with which engine you have. I know the monsoon can use 87 just fine but i thought the Hammerhead needed 89 and up.

Yes. Will depend on compression ratio etc for the specific motor.

[nyryan2001]

Mine 6.0L calls for 89...but the dealer and other Malibu owners I know all run reg 87 without issues....My first tank I wasnt paying attention and I filled it 80 gals of 87. No noticeable issues whatsoever. I will always try to do 89, but in a pinch wouldnt worry about using 87.

[Bozboat]

Look under specifiations on the upper far right of the home page

http://www.themalibucrew.com/forums/images/files/indmar_2005_2009.pdf

[Nicvtx]

over here in AUS the dealers tell us to only use 98 octance,

there have been a few boats who have run into issues using 89 octance

[l98ycar]

In Austraila (and Europe, I beleive), octane is advertised in RON which is research octane, in the US octane is advertised in R+M/2 which is the average or RON and MON (Motor Octane). 98 RON is similar (possibly slightly better) than 93 R+M / 2 if I remember right.

Scott

Edited May 6, 2011 by l98ycar

[jrz1]

On the margin you may lose a scant amount of power but not noticable in most cases esp between 87 and 89

[WakingMeHappy]

Only use 87 in all my engine powered stuff. And have never had any issues caused by fuel.

[Pistol Pete]

Only use 87 in all my engine powered stuff. And have never had any issues caused by fuel.

Which includes bouncing my Ducati off the rev. limiter.

[mwood86]

Yeah thanks for the help. I just didn't want it to run crappy, I know they told me if I put 87 in my Benz that it would wouldn't run very well. Didn't want that to happen with the 'bu lol.

Edited May 7, 2011 by mwoodward

[G-Mack]

I run 89 as per the manual (383 Hammerhead)when filling on shore. $100 K boat (even just $10 K for the engine)... 5 cents per litre more ... no brainer. Avoid ETHANOL at all costs... max is 5% but none is better. When we are on the water for extended periods (weeks) the place we go only sells 95 octane "marine fuel" at a healthy premium ... probably over $1.50 a litre this summer ($5.70/us gal +)...even at $300 for a fill the placebo effect feels good.... hey I'm running high test in my boat....do you feel that?... I think it is running better!... we have all experienced the placebo effect after we shell out for synthetic oil, fuel injector cleaner .... even after we wash it... hey I think it is running better... don'y you?

[Bozboat]

Funny thing is that the higher the octane the less volatile the fuel.

Edited May 7, 2011 by Bozboat

[DONTW8]

In my boat I buy the NON-ETHANOL fuel that is available at 2 stations in Bend. It is Premium 93 Octane. I buy that because I don't want Ethanol fuel in my boat. I imagine 87 octane is fine.

The risk is that Ethanol picks up moisture and creates problems from sitting in a tank too long. A possible issue in a boat, not so much in a car that is my daily driver.

[MalibuTime]

I use 89 cause that's what Indmar says to use for the Monsoon ( at least the one in my boat) I agree though the ECM should be adjusting detonation according to 'octane' (which, I think it is adjusting to other factors that change due to octane levels and not actually measuring the octane per se).

[SBR]

My boat is a 2000....little older than yours ......but right in the Indmar manual it says to run 89 octane. Octane is recomended off of a number of factors, but the main ones are (1) the computer settings and (2) compresiion ratio. I know that my year Monsoon is 9.4:1 and that is borderline for 87 octane. You may not notice it, but the motor will run better on a higher octane at 9.4:1 ratio.

[MalibuNation]

What Indmar/Malibu recommneds for my little high compression LS1, 92 or 93 octane.

My 2 cents I'd put in what is recommneded, hands down.

Edited May 8, 2011 by MalibuNation

[NorCaliBu]

If average use is ~ 50 hours / year, and you burn 4 gallons / hour, that's 200 gallons per year. At a 10¢ / gallon more than 87, running 89 octane would cost you an extra $20 / year. Even if you double the usage to 100 hours / year and double the burn rate to 8 gallons / hour you're still talking about $80 / year. You spent how much on your boat?

[MalibuNation]

If average use is ~ 50 hours / year, and you burn 4 gallons / hour, that's 200 gallons per year. At a 10¢ / gallon more than 87, running 89 octane would cost you an extra $20 / year. Even if you double the usage to 100 hours / year and double the burn rate to 8 gallons / hour you're still talking about $80 / year. You spent how much on your boat?

Exactly my thoughs

[TomMcCauley]

Good math and good food for thought. May seem like it's a smart choice but long term probably not!

[jrz1]

Don't think there's any question you should use the recommended octane fuel for a variety of reasons including relatively small cost premium to step up in octane. However, if you get stuck and only have access to lower octane fuel, it should not be an issue. Also, don't think it makes any sense to put in higher octane fuel than what is recommended.